Eight monkeys were confiscated by the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service after a major federal investigation into illegal breeding and trafficking on the Dark Web. Jungle Friends offered these survivors a forever home on March 31, 2025, after enduring malnutrition, neglect, and heartbreaking trauma. Read the monkey’s unique stories of resilience and how they are thriving in their new “almost wild” life.
Brown Capuchin
Beth is thriving in sanctuary life sharing a spacious habitat with Lyn and Paul,
Lyn, despite her difficult start, has settled into sanctuary life with a flair all her own.
Paul’s past left its marks. He was very thin, missing a finger, and part of his tongue.
Black-handed Spider Monkey
Emily is enjoying life, soaking in the fresh air, and swinging freely her new world…
Cotton-Top Tamarin
Elsa made her presence known from the moment she arrived at the sanctuary, filling the air with a wide variety of calls and vocalizations.
Golden-Handed Tamarin
Stephanie’s arrival was especially exciting for Jungle Friends, as she was only our third golden-handed tamarin to ever join the sanctuary.
Common Marmoset
Calla was a shy and timid little marmoset when she arrived, and blossomed into a confident, trusting monkey.
Geoffroy's Marmoset
Pattycake was so wary of people when he first arrived that he would refuse to eat if he knew someone was watching.
Emily is really enjoying sanctuary life, soaking in the fresh air, exploring the trees, and swinging freely across her new world…See More Emily enjoys the huge variety of foods being served and especially loves her plums, savoring every bite.
While she hasn't been fully socialized with other monkeys yet, her habitat is next to other spider monkeys, so she can watch, learn, and ease into new friendships at her own pace. So far, she is very curious about the others, and Lizzy seems to be very interested in Emily, often spending time nearby and watching her closely.
Between peaceful lounging, playful moments, and graceful swings through the branches, Emily is embracing her “almost wild” life — a safe and joyful future she was always meant to have.
Beth is now thriving in sanctuary life sharing a spacious habitat with Lyn and Paul, who know better than to get in her way when she's on a mission
Beth is not one to fade into the background. She has a big personality, a sharp eye for detail, and plenty of sass. Always alert, she keeps close watch on her caregivers, as if she’s the one in charge. Whether she’s splashing in water, inventing new games with her toys, or surveying her surroundings, Beth throws herself into life with unmistakable confidence.
With her determination, curiosity, and strong spirit, she embodies resilience — a daily reminder of why sanctuaries matter and why every monkey deserves a life filled with freedom, play, and friendship.
Lyn, despite her difficult start, has settled into sanctuary life with a flair all her own. She adores her blankets and is rarely seen without one, often dragging them out of her indoor bedroom to her outdoor habitat carrying it around like a prized possession.
But her true signature move is mealtime. Lyn does not just eat, she performs. Every piece of food is carefully displayed to her caregivers as if she is putting on “dinner and a show.” Watching her enjoy her favorite foods has become one of the daily highlights for those who care for her.
Together with Beth and Paul, Lyn has found safety, and the freedom to express her unique personality. With her love of comfort and her playful sense of showmanship, Lyn is thriving in her new larger life.
Paul’s past left its marks. He was very thin, missing a finger, part of his tongue, and has bad teeth from years of neglect. But none of that slows him down. His weight and health have improved with excellent care, and his resilient spirit shines brighter than ever.
Known around here as the “little greedy dude”, Paul is always the first to reach his food bowl. He is independent, confident, and not shy about making sure he gets his share. At the same time, Paul has a softer side and looks out for his little family, Beth and Lyn, showing care and companionship in their close-knit troop.
Whether he is snacking, exploring, or investigating his habitat, Paul is proof that spirit can overcome even the most difficult beginnings.
Calla was a shy and timid little marmoset when she arrived, and blossomed into a confident, trusting monkey. She surprised everyone with her bold, social nature soon after she arrived. She was paired with Pattycake, and between the two, Calla makes it clear who is really in charge and she has no problem showing off her bossy charm. Food is Calla’s love language, with one of the biggest appetites in Munchkinland! She especially adores grapes and her canned marmoset diet.
When she is not eating, Calla is in motion, running, jumping, and playing in the trees and plants in her outdoor habitat, living an “almost wild” life. With her mix of sass and growing trust, Calla is as unforgettable as she is lovable.
Elsa made her presence known from the moment she arrived at the sanctuary, filling the air with a wide variety of calls and vocalizations. Some were familiar to our caregivers, while others were completely new, unlike anything they had ever heard before. Elsa made them so often that her then neighbor and now best friend, Stephanie, picked up the same quirky calls.
Like many monkeys who come from difficult backgrounds, Elsa needed time to adjust to her new surroundings. With patience and care, she quickly revealed her spirited personality, bold and talkative.
Elsa loves playing with her blankets and can often be spotted enjoying sunny afternoons with her partner Stephanie, a female tamarin. They are a lively pair, outgoing, confident, and energetic.
Laid-back and easygoing, Stephanie is comfortable around people and is known for being a champion eater. She’s partial to cherries, but she’ll happily snack on just about anything.
Stephanie is very curious. She loves watching everything going on around her, whether it’s her caregivers or her monkey neighbors. In her short time here, she has amazed us with her quick ability to copy and mimic calls, especially those of her then neighbor and now inseparable partner, Elsa, another female and a different species.
Stephanie is enjoying the joys of sanctuary life. She can often be spotted relaxing with Elsa or racing through her outdoor habitat to soak up as much sunshine as possible.
Pattycake was so wary of people when he first arrived that he would refuse to eat if he knew someone was watching. With patience and kindness Pattycake has blossomed.
Today, he has no problem eating while his caregivers are present, especially if it is a juicy mandarin orange slice — his absolute favorite. He is also known to go wild for mango nectar pods. Shortly after his arrival, he was paired with Calla, another marmoset from the rescued group, and the two have been inseparable ever since.
Life with Calla has helped Pattycake gain confidence. He has come out of his shell and is spending his days running and playing in his outdoor habitat, enjoying time with Calla, and sometimes even getting into playful arguments with his neighbors. His transformation from timid to trusting makes him a true Jungle Friends success story.
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